Modeling and experimental study of the performance of two photovoltaic technologies under arid climate

Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of two mathematical models of photovoltaic modules, namely: a Real Photovoltaic model and an Improved Photovoltaic Model. These models were evaluated to test their accuracy and predict electrical performance, for the purpose of selecting the suitable model under arid climate conditions. An experimental study using two PV technologies mounted in an outdoor setting, namely amorphous silicon (a-Si) and polycrystalline, is then conducted to validate the mathematical model. Results show a good agreement between experiment and simulation using the improved model for the both PV technologies that adequate to simulate the PV production of two technologies under arid climate, a with good coefficient of determination equaling 0.9672 for the polycrystalline and 0.9957 for amorphous technology. This validation represents a useful tool for researchers in this field and for professional use cases in this location.This paper presents a comparison of two mathematical models of photovoltaic modules, namely: a Real Photovoltaic model and an Improved Photovoltaic Model. These models were evaluated to test their accuracy and predict electrical performance, for the purpose of selecting the suitable model under arid climate conditions. An experimental study using two PV technologies mounted in an outdoor setting, namely amorphous silicon (a-Si) and polycrystalline, is then conducted to validate the mathematical model. Results show a good agreement between experiment and simulation using the improved model for the both PV technologies that adequate to simulate the PV production of two technologies under arid climate, a with good coefficient of determination equaling 0.9672 for the polycrystalline and 0.9957 for amorphous technology. This validation represents a useful tool for researchers in this field and for professional use cases in this location.